A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Bergen for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Faro or Bergen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Bergen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Faro

Faro is a active, popular, and busy resort town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Bergen?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Faro than Bergen, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Faro is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Bergen is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm. Faro is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Also, Faro is famous for The Arco da Vila. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Faro different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergen and Faro. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Faro or Bergen?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Faro or Bergen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Faro. It has become a major tourist town, so you have to get a bit creative to find a more traditional restaurant. Look for fresh seafood like cod, monkfish, or shellfish if you want some local flavors.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Faro is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Faro has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Resorts?

Faro is very popular for its resorts. However, Bergen is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Faro is a great choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Bergen is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few good snorkeling spots. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.

Bergen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Beaches?

Faro is a popular place for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Faro is a good option for a beach vacation. The most popular beach in the area is Faro Beach. It can get crowded during the summer months but if you walk a bit you can often get away from the crowds. To reach the beach you'll need a car or you can take the bus as the beach is about 10 km away.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Bergen both have notable historical old towns that attract visitors.

Faro is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find historic buildings and cobblestone streets in the old town. It's a nice place to explore, grab a bite to eat, and do a little shopping.

Many people head to Bergen to see the old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Bergen?

Bergen is great for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Faro offers some nice shopping areas. The town isn't as big as some others, so it's shopping scene isn't as comprehensive, but you will find the major brands as well as souvenir shops to peruse when you need a break from the beach.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Bergen is a very family-friendly destination. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

Faro is not the most family-friendly destination. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is great for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

Bergen is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

Faro makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Bergen are notable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Bergen is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Students?

Bergen is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Faro is not popular with students.

Is Faro or Bergen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bergen is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its public transit.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

Faro has a few public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Is Faro or Bergen a more walkable city?

Bergen is great for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Faro Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Faro?

How long in Faro or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Faro and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than in Bergen. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

Families should spend more time in Bergen than Faro. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bergen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bergen than Faro. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bergen that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bergen than Faro if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bergen.

One day in Faro or Bergen?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Bergen?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bergen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Faro or Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Bergen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the active destination of Faro. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The nostalgic city of Bergen offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Bergen, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Bergen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bergen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bergen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Bergen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Faro Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Bergen, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Faro or Bergen?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Faro or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Faro is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Bergen. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bergen because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Faro is much warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Bergen. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Bergen. The winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bergen in the winter. In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Faro usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm.

In April, Faro is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Bergen. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Faro